Spatially explicit model of the Cryptosporidium and Giardia disease burden from surface and ground waters in urban and rural areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir watershed in Chongqing, China

Epizootiology and biological characteristics of echinococcosis in agricultural animals, dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents in the Western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Background and Aim

Echinococcosis is one of the most dangerous parasitic diseases common to humans and animals. In Kazakhstan, echinococcosis is widespread in animals. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and biological characteristics of echinococcosis in agricultural animals, dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents in the Western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Materials and Methods

The study analyzed slaughtered carcasses of cattle (2500), sheep (4200), pigs (250), horses (91), and camels (45). Furthermore, the study analyzed 144 dogs (herding, rural, and urban), 41 wild carnivores (wolves, red foxes, and corsac foxes), and 339 wild rodents (great gerbils, tamarisk jirds, little ground squirrels, yellow ground squirrels, and muskrats). Postmortem and vital examination methods were used in the helminthological studies of dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents. In agricultural animals, localization and intensity were determined by counting echinococcal cysts in parenchymatous organs.

Results

Extensiveness of invasion (EI) averaged 19.2% in cattle, 27.5% in sheep, 5.6% in pigs, and 13.3% in camels. Echinococcal cysts mainly affected the liver in sheep (45.4%) and the lungs in cattle (35.5%). The fertility of echinococcal cysts decreased with age in animals. Acephalocysts were registered mainly in cattle. The highest invasiveness of Echinococcus granulosus was found in herding dogs with an EI of 12.5%. Experimental infestations of dogs showed that maturation of echinococcal eggs occurred by days 36-40 and maturation of segments by day 50. Studies of wild carnivores and rodents showed the presence of E. granulosus (imago stage) in wolves, Alveococcus multilocularis (imago stage) in red foxes and corsac foxes, and A. multilocularis (larval stage) in great gerbils and muskrats.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence of high epizootiological danger for the population and significant damage caused by E. granulosus to animal husbandry in the region. Studies on the spread of echinococcosis suggest the possibility of controlling the situation with human and animal diseases and show the importance of this issue.

Microscopic and molecular diagnoses of Giardia duodenalis in pet animals in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background and Aim

The breeding of pet animals, especially dogs and cats, in Iraq has increased recently. However, no epidemiological or molecular data exist regarding Giardia duodenalis infection in pet animals, particularly in Babylon Province. Therefore, this study aimed to detect G. duodenalis and its genotypes in pets using microscopic and molecular techniques.

Materials and Methods

For microscopic examination, 150 pet fecal samples (dogs = 75, cats = 75) were examined from October 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Fourteen isolates of G. duodenalis (7 per host) were genetically characterized using SSUrDNA gene sequencing.

Results

Microscopic examination revealed that the rates of G. duodenalis infection was 14.67% (11/75) and 12% (9/75) in dogs and cats, respectively. According to sex, the infection rate in dogs was 22.22% (8/36) for males and 7.69% (3/39) for females. Conversely, the infection rate in cats was 5.56% (2/36) for males and 17.95% (7/39) for females. The highest infection rates were recorded for animals under 6 months of age, with 16.67% (3/18) for dogs and 27.27% (3/11) for cats. In rural areas, the infection rate was higher than that in urban areas, with 17.65% (6/34) in dogs and 13.89% (5/36) in cats. For the molecular diagnosis, 14 isolates of G. duodenalis (7 per host) were genetically characterized using SSUrDNA gene sequencing. In dogs, the findings revealed specific genotypes, with D at 3/7 (42.86%) and C at 2/7 (28.57%). In addition, zoonotic genotype A was found in 2/7 (28.57%) of dogs. In cats, the specific assemblage F was present in 4/7 (57.14%), while zoonotic genotype A was found in 3/7 (42.86%).

Conclusion

This study is considered the first in Babylon Province to detect G. duodenalis genotypes in pet animals (dogs and cats), as some have zoonotic genotypes that could transmit infections to humans. The results of this study illustrate the epidemiological importance of this parasite in this region.